Arsenal round-up: Giroud makeweight in striker offer; bid rejected for Juventus winger; Walcott already back in training

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Arsenal continue their transfer search as they attempt to make a breakthrough over the coming weeks. Kylian Mbappe and Alexandre Lacazette are the two priority targets when it comes to striking options, but the Gunners face an uphill battle to land either one of them. The Evening Standard report that they will be prepared to use Olivier Giroud as a makeweight in any deal to sign either of the French strikers. Although Arsene Wenger has stated that he wants to keep the 30-year-old, he is viewed as a player that can be moved on.

Giroud is a popular figure in the dressing room and he has a good rapport with the supporters, but it is clear that he will never be the top tier striker that Arsenal need. Last season, he played a supporting role and although he carried out impressively, he is unlikely to be a regular in the first team when the new campaign begins. The French international would be a very good striker in Ligue 1 and be a good signing for either Monaco or Lyon. If he is offered to either club, it could help Arsenal land one of their priority targets.

The Gunners have been linked with a number of players since the season ended and The Sun report that they have had a £17.6 million bid turned down for Juan Cuadrado. Juventus are looking for a fee as high as £30 million and it is being reported that Tottenham are also interested in the wide player. The Colombian international is a player that may be moved on by the Italian giants, despite only joining recently from Chelsea.

The source is questionable, as The Sun aren’t well known for being reliable when it comes to transfer rumours, but if this is correct, it would suggest that Wenger is determined to stick to a 3-4-3 formation. Cuadrado has plenty of experience in a similar system and would be a good choice to play the right wing-back role. Arsenal already have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Hector Bellerin that can play the role, therefore a move for the Juventus man suggests the latter could be leaving the club.

Finally, the Mirror are reporting that Theo Walcott is training hard to keep himself in the best possible shape to fight for his future at Arsenal. The 28-year-old has been linked with a move away, but he enjoyed a good season during the 2016/17 campaign with 19 goals in 33 appearances. Although he has never fulfilled his potential, he remains a good option to have in the squad and it would be a surprise if he was moved on.

That said, if the club do want to move on into a new era, it may be the right time to sell Walcott. He is a good attacking player, but his injuries are a problem and he is never likely to be a regular starter for the Gunners again if they are going to challenge for major honours. He would bring in a good fee and if there is interest in him, it is something that the Gunners should consider.

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